Worth the price?

[tonn-and]

Hello!

I'm just wondering if the Reconstructing History patterns are worth the price? As for just the trousers pattern they charge 25$. And vest pattern for 20$. While the Past patterns classic summer trousers regular size cost 14$. Have anyone tried the Reconstructing History patterns?

[MrsPeebles]

Well, IMHO, the price seems fair. After all, there are some historic sewing patterns out on the market for almost $50, so this price is average.
I wonder how well they go together, or how they look once completed, and is their sizing accurate? I'll finish with one comment, it's good to see a new pattern company in the market today.

[tonn-and]

The trousers look good. Even this trousers are post civil war. http://store.reconstructinghistory.com/mens-victorian-and-20th-century-trousers.html
I asked if they were planning to add shirt and drawers pattern, but they have no plans for such.  I also have been wondering if these patterns are easy to sew together and how they fit.

[MrsPeebles]

well, I felt some reason for pause here, I never thought of Victorian and twentieth century as being remotely similar. I mean, I don't see 1850/60 trousers looking twentieth century.  I picture a high waisted back, either with a belt or raised yoke. Your thoughts folks?

[Jessamyn]

I would not personally buy a RH pattern if there were another option. It seems like some of them are okay and some not, but in general the line suffers from errors and (sometimes really substantial) grading issues. I will say that everyone agrees the owner is extremely responsive to questions via e-mail, but my overall impression is that these were rushed out (she rolled out a huge pattern line in a very short span) without anything like enough testing.

[Elaine Kessinger]

I have had many discussions with the owners, pattern drafters, researchers, and testers from this company. They are pleasant people with a love of history, research, and fashion. They do not, however, enjoy the mid-19th century at all. They spend very little time with things of the mid-19th century, relying on people who have a greater love of the particular era. (Notice their women's "Victorian" selections are all from "Truly Victorian")  Recently, they have discovered "Steampunk" and that has appealed greatly to their sense of "fun."

If you need a commercial pattern for mid-19th century tailored items, go with Past Patterns, Galla Rock, or order a bespoke-drafted pattern from Jim Ruley or Williams Clothiers.

[Jim_Ruley]

If you need a commercial pattern for mid-19th century tailored items, go with Past Patterns, Galla Rock, or order a bespoke-drafted pattern from Jim Ruley or Williams Clothiers.

...or draft your own.  DeVere's 1866 trouser draft is extremely simple.  It requires only five measurements:  Waist, seat circumference, inseam length, outseam length and front length (which is usually the same as the outseam).  It can be drawn in a few minutes using graduated measures, or you can do a few simple calculations working in "common" inches.  It's a great way to get into pattern drafting and will fit better than a commercial "standard size" pattern unless you measure wrong.

The results won't be graceful from the back (DeVere believed in building in enough seat room to accomodate any normal activity), but they will be period-appropriate, not an "altered modern" look.

Thanks,

Jim Ruley 

[anne foster]

Let me recommend one of my favorite websites-the Great Pattern Review: http://www.gbacg.org/great-pattern-review/index.html  These folks are costumers, so they comment more on the construction than the accuracy, but if you want to get an overview of a particular company, it's a great place to start.  Their members vary greatly in size, so there are often comments about how the pattern works for particularly petite or fluffy ladies, which is a common trouble area.  I see they haven't reviewed these particular patterns, but there are reviews from the line that might give you a sense of the quality or special issues for the brand.

Anne